Chapter 52

NICOLE

I returned to South Dakota for Marcus's burial, surrounded by family and friends.

I had cried my heart out during the funeral,

I couldn't bring myself to accept that Marcus was really gone. It still felt like he was just away on a long trip and would come back home any day.

Three months had passed since Marcus's death, and I was still struggling to cope.

The thought of erasing him from my life felt like a betrayal to our love.

My parents had tried to convince me to seek therapy, but I refused.

But the truth was, I was drowning in it. My denial was keeping me stuck in the past, unable to move forward and live a life without Marcus.

I was going through old photos of Marcus, when I came across a note that he had written to me. It read, "My love for you is infinite. Even death can't part us. I will always be with you."

The words hit me hard, and I broke down in tears. I realized that Marcus would want me to live my life to the fullest, even in his absence.

I had made the difficul